A free medical/dental clinic serving Lebanon County residents without insurance opens tomorrow, staffed by a roster of 80 volunteer doctors, dentists and clerical staff. The Volunteers in Medicine clinic at 711 S. Eighth St. targets the working poor, but anyone meeting income limits can be served, said Kathi Caber, clinic director.

She estimates as many as 10,000 county residents now have little or no access to health care.

Initially the medical clinic will be open about 20 hours a week, with the dental coming on line in a few weeks. The goal is to provide 36 hours per week of medical services, and 10 hours of dental, Caber said. In addition to herself, there is a half-time medical director, Dr. Joseph Kearns, and a full-time bilingual front office director.

Prospective patients must first make an eligibility appointment by calling 717-272-2252, Caber said. Appointments will be needed for all visits, she said.

Volunteers in Medicine has 74 clinics in the U.S., but the closest in Pennsylvania is in West Chester, Caber said. The organization was started by retired doctors at Hilton Head, S.C., resorts to serve employees working there.

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